By
JOHN HEILIG
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 20102 Nissan Frontier CC 4X4 SV
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horsepower/Torque: 261 hp @ 5,600 rpm/281 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 125.9 in.
Length/Width/Height: 205.5 x 72.8 x 70.1 in.
Tires: P265/70R16
Cargo volume: 27.1 cu. ft. (cargo bed)
Fuel economy: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/13.5 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 21.1 gal
Curb weight: 4,431 lbs.
Sticker: $29,085 (includes $810 destination charge and $1,305 in options)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Great off-road
2. Nice on-road performance
3. Comfortable
4. Roomy
5. Excellent pickup cargo capacity
 
The Bottom Line: The Nissan Frontier …

By
John Heilig 
Specifications
 
Model: 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ 4WD
Engine: 5.3-liter Vortec V8
Horsepower/Torque: 320 hp @ 5,400 rpm/325 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 130.0 in.
Length/Width/Height: 221.3 x 791 x 76.6 in.
Tires: P275/55R20
Cargo volume: 54.3 cu. ft. behind 1st row.
Cargo box: 63.3/98.2 (Midgate closed/open)long x 50.0 wide x 47.4 in. high (underneath with Midgate open). 1,350 lbs. payload. 7,900 lbs. trailer towing capacity.
Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway/16.6 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 31.5 gal.
Curb weight: 5,646 lbs.
Sticker: $52, 840 (includes $950 destination charge, …

By
John Heilig
 
Specifications
 
Model: 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Supercrew King Ranch
Engine: 5.0-liter V8
Horsepower/Torque: 360 hp @ 5,500 rpm/380 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 156.5 in.
Length/Width/Height: 243.9 x 79.2 x 74.6 in.
Tires: 22-inch wheels
Cargo volume: 1,570 lbs. payload, 9,100 lbs. towing capacity
Fuel economy: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway
Fuel capacity: 36.0 gal.
Curb weight: 5,745 lbs.
Sticker: $51,270 ($975 destination and delivery, $5,060 in options less $1,000 Lariat Premium Discount)
 
Five reasons to buy this vehicle
1. Fabulous ride quality
2. Luxurious with King Ranch Package
3. Very good …

       By Don Hammonds
 Superlatives have been tossed around in the auto industry for decades, so those of us at Automobile Journal–like car writers everywhere–tend not to believe everything we’ve been told.
      But the new 2011 Ford F-150 with EcoBoost does indeed measure up to its advance publicity.
 It also went beyond what was expected in a way that I rarely see mentioned anywhere, even in Ford materials: The F-150 with EcoBoost is almost eerily quiet.  You usually don’t  even hear the engine, and its absolutely …

 
Ford’s popular F-150 pickups equipped with the company’s economical, strong performing EcoBoost engines are rolling off thre assembly lines and headed to dealerships where the automaker expects strong sales from consumers looking for big gasoline costs savings–while still getting everything they want from trucks.
     The powerplant, one of four being offered on the F-150 this year,  is a twin turbocharged, 3.5 liter V-6 with direct injection, which runs on regular gasoline. The fuel economy rating is 16 city and 22 highway. The …

  By John Heilig
2011 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4X4
Engine: 4.0-liter V6 Horsepower/Torque: 270 hp @ 5,600 rpm/278 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 109.8 in. Length x Width x Height: 189.9 x 75.8 x 71.5 in.
Tires: P265/70R17 (full-size spare)
 Cargo volume: 46.3/88.8 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down)
 Fuel economy: 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway/19.4 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 23.0 gal.
 Curb weight: 4,750 lbs.
Sticker: $40,874 (includes $800 delivery, processing and handling fee; $4,374 in options)
 5 Reasons to buy this car 1. Good off-road performer …

The action for 2011 is–surprisingly–going to be pretty hot and heavy in the sport utility/crossover market.
And one of the products that promises to be right in the thick of things is–again, not surprisingly–Ford’s all-new 2011 Explorer, which has been redesigned from stem to stern to face an ever more competitive market.

It will join Jeep’s all new 2011 Grand Cherokee and we believe at least four or five other brands in the SUV/crossover market. Already this year, we have seen an …

5.7 Liter V8 Hemi MDS VVT Engine, Heavy Duty Engine Cooling, 390 Hp 407 lb-ft torque
5 Speed Automatic 545RFE Transmission
Electric Shift on Demand Transfer Case
Advanced Multistage Front Airbags, Side Curtain F&R Airbags
Antilock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Electronic Stability Control
20 inch by 9 inch Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels
Color as Shown Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat
3.92 Axle Ratio, 205mm Heavy Duty Front Axle, Anti Spin Differential Rear Axle
Remote Start and Keyless Entry
506 watt Alpine Surround w/9 speakers & Sub-woofer
Rear Power Sliding Window
Leather Trimmed …